Why would there be engineering programs for non-engineers? This article looks at options for those who decide that they would like to become engineers after they have already completed a non-STEM bachelor’s degree. This is not an article for those who want to earn an engineering degree and then not become an engineer.

Why a Master’s in Engineering?

According to The Washington Post, only 27% of graduates find work related to their degree. This means, if you are one of those nearly 73% who don’t, you may find that your original degree was not what you planned. Engineering can be a great avenue to explore as an alternative, as there is a large range of career and education opportunities within the field. Not only does advancing technology call for new and innovative developments, but engineering students can focus in many different categories of engineering, from biomedical engineering to nuclear engineering to aerospace engineering.

Engineering Careers Outlook and Salary

It’s important to note that according to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS), engineers tend to have good average salaries. Most of the jobs listed below also have above average speed for growth outlook.

Position	Average Salary (2019)*	Career Outlook (2019-2029)*
Computer Hardware Engineer	$123,030	2%
Chemical Engineer	$117,090	4%
Biomedical Engineer	$97,090	5%
Agricultural Engineer	$98,290	2%
Aerospace Engineer	$119,220	3%
Electrical Engineer	$103,480	5%
Industrial Engineer	$92,660	10%
Civil Engineer	$94,360	2%
Environmental Engineer	$94,220	3%
Materials Engineer	$97,890	2%
Mechanical Engineer	$93,540	4%
Nuclear Engineer	$120,700	-13%
Petroleum Engineer	$156,780	3%
Marine Engineer	$98,730	1%

How Do I Get an Engineering Education?

Many colleges allow non-engineers to apply to their engineering master’s programs, provide bridge programs to get students up to speed before entering the actual master’s program or offer what they call non-engineer engineering programs. Though each program varies in credit length, they can usually be completed in 1-2 years. On top of that, anyone who joins these non-engineer programs will be awarded the same engineering master’s as those with an undergraduate in engineering.

What Will I Need for Admission?

Many non-engineers come in with little to no STEM experience. Because of this, you’ll want to check with your selected university for the specific requirements. However, you may find a few similarities between programs. Some of the programs require you to have taken some courses, such as calculus I or II, differential equations, electrical circuits, or physics. Basically, you’ll likely need some college-level math and engineering courses behind you. This could mean taking some college-level math courses at a different institution prior to applying. Keep in mind, each college has its own specification, so be sure to check which courses your college requires. Along with specific courses, you’ll be required to turn in typical admissions requirements, such as an application and fee, GRE scores, letters of recommendation, transcripts, and personal essays.

If you’ve selected an undergraduate degree in a non-engineering-related area and have since decided to pursue engineering, all is not lost. Many colleges offer non-engineering tracks for those who do not have an undergraduate degree in engineering. Though some colleges offer bridge programs to speed up this process, you may need to take some math courses at another college prior to applying. Finally, keep in mind that there are many engineering fields, and all of them have a good career outlook and average salary.

Can You Get a Master’s in Engineering Without a Bachelor’s in Engineering?

Engineering

Perhaps you finished your college course and either went on to work or decided that perhaps you’d rather get your master’s in engineering rather than the course you graduated from.

Is it possible? And if so, how can you get a master’s degree after previously getting a bachelor’s in a differing course? The answer is actually quite easy.

You are entirely able to get your masters in engineering without having a bachelor’s in engineering, but usually, it must be in a STEM course, meaning those that deal with math, science, technology, and the like.

If you’re interested in learning more about how you can do this, go ahead and continue reading.

Not Impossible, But Perhaps Difficult

Taking up a Master’s in Engineering

A large number of graduates do not actually end up working in the field of the degree that they graduated with their bachelor’s degree.

Almost 73% of graduates find work in fields that are either entirely not related to their degree, meaning that they may have had their sights set on some other means of employment and finished their course for the degree.

For some, shifting to take a master’s in engineering may be a choice that you would like to make, but are wondering if it is even possible and if so, whether or not it is difficult.

Thankfully, this is indeed an attainable goal for anyone who has previously graduated with a bachelor’s degree and is now looking to get a master’s in engineering.

Of course, this path will be made easier if you have had a background and education in a STEM related course, as most universities are more prone to accept those with such experience.

But should you have a bachelor’s in a non-STEM related course there is no need for worry, as it is still possible for you to attain a master’s in engineering.

Coming from a bachelor’s education that has no to little background in STEM subjects will prove to be a bit difficult, seeing as engineering is a very mathematics heavy course.

But if you can apply yourself and realize that focus and study must be applied in able to cope up, then your goal of grabbing that master’s in engineering is not far from reach.

Taking up a master’s in engineering when coming from a bachelor’s course that focused in the field of math, physics, or chemistry, along with other related courses, will prove easier in the long run.

This is due to the fact that many subjects in these other STEM courses are shared between them and the core engineering courses.

Having a background in STEM subjects and graduating with a degree in that field will prove much easier overall and will most likely set your master’s journey to right around two years.

However, for those coming from a background unrelated to STEM, you may find yourself taking up to four years to graduate with a master’s in engineering.

The reason for this is that you will need to catch up on courses that you have not taken yet, as well as take prerequisites, as well as undergraduate, subjects to prepare yourself for your master’s.

Keep in mind that even if you are able to attain a master’s in engineering that you may not be able to practice as an engineer (like a civil engineering major) due to most states requiring a professional engineering license.

Of course, you can still attain that status albeit you will need to take the required courses in order to do so. 

How do I Get a Master’s in Engineering?

A number of universities and colleges allow students who have previously graduated in non-engineering courses to take up and apply for their master’s in engineering offerings.

Along with this, it is common for those that offer this option to provide a bridging program for those who are interested in taking up an engineering master’s but have not graduated with a bachelor’s in engineering.

This makes it extremely welcoming and relatively easy for those who are seeking this path. 

Lengths and duration vary from program to program, but overall, these master’s courses can be expected to be completed within two years.

The good news for those who are coming from undergraduate courses that are not under the engineering umbrella, you are still able to attain the same master’s degree as those who graduated with a bachelor’s in engineering.

Some subjects you are often expected to have taken when pursuing up your master’s in engineering after coming from an unrelated course include calculus (both I and II), and other physics and math-related subjects.

If you did not complete these courses prior to your application for a master’s in engineering, then you may need to first take them up before continuing.

Of course, this varies from college to college, so always check what the requirements are prior to your enrolment.

Going back to those who are interested in pursuing a master’s in engineering but did not take up a degree related somewhat to engineering, you also have a number of options.

A number of colleges and universities have the option available for those individuals to take up non-engineering tracks, giving them a way to pursue their dreams.

As stated before, some colleges do in fact offer certain bridging programs for these students, but if they are not available you will need to attain some courses in math before looking to apply.

Benefits of Attaining a Master’s in Engineering

You may be looking to take up a master’s in engineering in order to expand your knowledge in certain areas, but a vast majority of people will look to this as a means of a career change.

Whether you have grown bored of your current career path or have come to the conclusion that it just does not fit you right now, taking up a master’s in engineering can open up many doors for you career-wise.

There are numerous benefits that surround holders of a master’s in engineering, one of the most attractive being the possibility of a salary boost when compared to your current career path.

A master’s in engineering will most likely open up more doors for opportunities in your current position of work, but it will also, most likely, create the opportunity for other roles and jobs.

Many of the job options that open up after attaining a master’s in engineering include various managerial positions in addition to roles in leadership and project leads.

With the rise in options for the positions you can apply for, you will also see an increase in salaries relative to the positions available.

Salaries that you may see upon attaining a master’s in engineering sit right around the range of $110,000, according to the website, Monster. 

Along with the opportunity to rise up to new positions and a possible increase in salary, the experiences and growth you will see after attaining your master’s in engineering will prove worthwhile for years to come.

How to Become an Engineer With Any Background

You’re considering becoming an engineer, but you didn’t earn an undergraduate degree in engineering. Can you pursue the profession anyway? The short answer is yes, but you will most likely want to go back to school—either for your bachelor’s or master’s—to broaden your engineering career options.

Below, we’ll cover how to become an engineer, no matter your professional or educational background. But before you decide to make a drastic career shift, you should determine if you’re cut out for engineering.

Do you have what it takes to become an engineer?

While specific requirements will vary depending on engineering vertical, role and organization, all engineers must possess certain skills and traits. To succeed as an engineer, you must be proficient in math and science. An example of a few core courses you will see in an undergraduate engineering program include:¹

• Calculus I, II and III
• Circuits and instrumentation
• Differential equations
• Physics
• Principles of chemistry for engineers

Of course, a role in whichever engineering discipline you choose—for instance, biomedical engineering, systems and control engineering, civil engineering, electrical engineering or mechanical engineering—will require extensive knowledge in that area, which you can learn both in college courses and on the job.

In addition to extensive technical mastery, engineers also need a fair share of soft skills. To solve the world’s problems to the best of their ability, successful engineers boast the following traits in addition to technical knowledge:²

• Boundless curiosity – a need to know how products and processes work and a desire to fix them or make them better
• Applied creativity – the ability to apply theory to real-world projects in potentially ground-breaking ways
• Persistence – doing whatever it takes—and for however long—to solve a tricky problem
• Teamwork – most engineers work on teams, so listening, communication and teamwork skills are crucial
• Leadership – the ability to not only execute tasks but guide and lead a team

If you possess some or all of these qualities, you may thrive as an engineer.

Consider Your Options for Becoming an Engineer

So you’ve made the decision to pursue engineering, and now you have to figure out how to become an engineer. Becoming an engineer later in life can be incredibly rewarding, but you should consider the financial and personal sacrifices you may have to make to change careers. You essentially have two options for becoming an engineer:

1. Pursue an engineering job that doesn’t require an engineering degree
2. Go back to school to earn your bachelor’s or master’s in an engineering discipline

1. Pursue an Engineering Job That Doesn’t Require an Engineering Degree

While most engineering jobs require a bachelor’s degree or higher in engineering, certain fields are easier to break into than others without an engineering degree. According to Interesting Engineering, electrical engineering is the easiest field to enter without a formal degree, as you can gain proficiency in the field through self-study, experimentation and hard work.³ Electrical engineering technician jobs, which paid an average of $64,330 in 2018,⁴ typically don’t require a bachelor’s degree in mechanical engineering, but they do require some formal training (an associate’s degree or vocational training).

Other engineering disciplines to consider include:³

• Chemical engineering – ideal for those with a background in chemistry, biology or other life sciences
• Mechanical engineering – ideal for those with a bachelor’s degree in a technical field
• Civil engineering – one of the more difficult fields to break into without an engineering degree, though it is possible to work up the ranks at a company (i.e. construction worker to foreman to drafter to engineer)

With the right connections and work ethic, you can plausibly find an engineering job without an engineering degree. That said, launching your engineering career will be easier if you earn a degree, which brings us to your second option for becoming an engineer:

2. Earn Your Bachelor’s or Master’s in Engineering

If you want to become an engineer, going back to school to earn an engineering degree is your best option in regards to becoming technically proficient and future career opportunities. Before you begin researching programs, ask yourself a few important questions:

• Are you leaning toward a specific engineering discipline?
• Are you able to go back to school full time, or do you need to pursue part-time course work?
• Do you want to attend classes on campus, or would you prefer the flexibility of an online program?
• Do you have a solid background in math and science?

If you don’t have a background in advanced math and science, you should consider earning your bachelor’s degree. Most engineering programs offer Bachelor of Science (BS) degrees with a specialization in a particular area of engineering, such as aerospace engineering, electrical engineering or mechanical engineering, among many other disciplines. Some universities offer a Bachelor of Engineering (BE or BEng) degree. Check with admissions advisors at any schools you’re considering to determine if they offer online or part-time courses.

If you can prove proficiency in math and science and you hold a bachelor’s degree, you may be able to pursue a master’s program in engineering. The online engineering graduate programs at Case Western Reserve University, for instance, require students with a non-engineering bachelor’s degree to demonstrate proficiency in calculus and differential equations. (Know that you may need to take prerequisite courses to qualify for a master’s in engineering.) A master’s degree in engineering can help students become technically proficient while imparting valuable leadership and management skills.

Universities typically offer Master of Science (MS), Master of Engineering (ME or MEng) or Master of Technology (MTech) degrees with specializations in a particular engineering subject. Many schools now offer part-time online programs designed to fit the schedules of working professionals, and some employers may even help finance your degree.

LEAP: A Master’s Program for non-Engineers

Build on your undergraduate background to move into a career in engineering.

Do you have a bachelor’s degree in the Liberal Arts, Business, Fine Arts, or Education? For over 30 years, the Late Entry Accelerated Program (LEAP)  has made it possible for students with non-engineering backgrounds to obtain a master’s degree in engineering. LEAP students are typically between the ages of 25 and 35 with undergraduate degrees in diverse fields including business, education, English, fine arts music, natural sciences and psychology.

How LEAP works:

Each LEAP student works with our staff and faculty to design their unique program of study based on their academic and professional background.

To prepare for success at the master’s level, students build a foundation in engineering with some undergraduate coursework prior to completing their master’s degree of choice in:

• Biomedical Engineering
• Electrical & Computer Engineering
• Materials Science & Engineering
• Mechanical Engineering
• Product Design & Manufacture
• Systems Engineering

University Heights, Newark, New Jersey

Degree Programs

To succeed in today’s marketplace, an engineer must be an effective communicator, a ready collaborator, and an ethical professional.

Degree Programs: 

The next generation of engineers will be called upon to understand a variety of technical and non-technical disciplines and perceive how they interact to create complex challenges. To solve these challenges, tomorrow’s engineers will need to take into account not only projects’ structural or physical aspects, but also their social, political, financial and environmental implications. Our curriculum is designed to challenge our students to develop flexible skills that will prepare them not only to approach the challenges of tomorrow, but also to create new innovations that will impact and shape society.

Undergraduate Majors

• Biomedical Engineering
• Chemical Engineering
• Civil Engineering
• Computer Engineering
• Electrical Engineering
• General Engineering (formerly Engineering Science)
• Engineering Technology
  • Computer Technology
  • Concrete Industry Management Technology
  • Construction Engineering Technology
  • Construction Management Technology
  • Electrical & Computer Engineering Technology
  • Manufacturing Engineering Technology
  • Mechanical Engineering Technology
  • Medical Informatics Technology
  • Surveying Engineering Technology
  • Technology Education
• Industrial Engineering
• Mechanical Engineering

Graduate Degree Programs

• Biomedical Engineering
• Chemical Engineering
• Civil Engineering
• Civil Engineering (Online)
• Computer Engineering
• Critical Infrastructure Systems
• Electrical Engineering
• Electrical Engineering (Online)
• Engineering Management
• Engineering Management (Online)
• Engineering Science 
• Environmental Engineering
• Healthcare Systems Management
• Industrial Engineering
• Industrial Engineering (Online)
• Internet Engineering
• Manufacturing Systems Engineering
• Materials Engineering
• Mechanical Engineering
• Occupational Safety and Health Engineering
• Pharmaceutical Engineering
• Pharmaceutical Systems Management
• Power and Energy Systems
• Power and Energy Systems (Online)
• Telecommunications
• Transportation

Graduate Certificates

• Biomedical Device Development
• Construction Management
• Construction Management (Online)
• Environmental Engineering 
• Hydrology and Water Resources Engineering
• Intelligent Transportation Systems
• Pharmaceutical Management
• Pharmaceutical Management (Online)
• Pharmaceutical Manufacturing
• Pharmaceutical Technology
• Polymers and Plastics
• Power Systems Engineering
• Power Systems Engineering (Online)
• Project Management
• Project Management (Online)
• Supply Chain Engineering
• Transportation Studies
• Transportation Studies (Online)

Doctoral Degree Programs

• Biomedical Engineering
• Chemical Engineering
• Civil Engineering
• Computer Engineering
• Electrical Engineering
• Environmental Engineering
• Industrial Engineering
• Mechanical Engineering
• Materials Engineering
• Transportation